Loose-leaf binder



. R. c. MCKAY 2,230,843

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed April 12, 1939 4 Sheets- Sheet l Feb. 4, 1941. R. c. McKAY 2,230,843

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed April 12, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 4, 1941. R. c; MCKAY 2,230,843

LLLLLLLLLLLLLL ER Feb. 4, 1941. R. c. McKAY 2,230,843

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filqd April 12, 15939 4 Sheej -Sheet 4 21 f M mvsmw a BY 5' ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 21 Claims.

This invention relates to a new type of looseleaf binder in which the sheets of paper, or the like, are held together by rings extending through perforations in said sheets from opposite sides of the assembly, the rings being movable out of circumferential overlapping relationship to each other to facilitate the introduction or removal of sheets.

It is the main object of the invention to produce a binder in which the more important advantages of both the so-called prong and ring types of binders will be combined, while avoiding their chief disadvantages. More specifically, it aims to devise a construction having the compactness and capacity of the former with the readability inherent in the latter. A further and particularly important object of the invention is to provide a ring binder in which the rings extending through the sheets will be continuous instead of composed of sections, as in prior constructions, while at the same time capable of being opened readily to permit the removal or insertion of sheets.

Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of an assembly of sheets held together by a binder embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view, partly in section, of the same assembly;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the same assembly of sheets with the book open;

Fig. 4 is an angular view of a portion of the same assembly with the rings moved around to such points that the free ends are out of the perforations in the opposite sets of sheets;

Fig. 5 shows the back of a binder hinged together with a double-acting hinge;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a clip used for holding the two sets of rings in their cooperative relationship;

Figs. '7 and 8 are perspective views of the two opposite sets of rings shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which the two sets of rings may be connected together by a double action hinge;

Fig. 10 is an end view of a construction essen- 50 tially like that shown in Fig. 1'7 but equipped with a latch.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the back portion of another form of binder with the ring assembly removed;

Fig. 12 is an angular view of the ring assembly designed for use with the apparatus shown in Fig. 11;

Figs. 13 and 14 are plan and sectional views, respectively, of the binder shown in Figs. 11 and 12, Fig. 14 being taken along the line I i-44 5 of Fig. 13.

Figs. 15 and 16 are diagrammatic views illustrating different positions which the ring holders shown in Figs. 12 to 14 may take; and

Figs. 17 and 18 are perspective views illustrating additional embodiments of the invention.

Briefly stated, the binder comprises two sets of partial rings, each preferably, although not necessarily, having an angular extent of approximately 180. The members of each set are connected rigidly together and the two sets are adapted to extend in opposite directions through the perforations in the margins of a stack of sheets. Preferably the rings of one set alternate with those of the other, and the two are locked together in a fixed relationship when in their normal or operative positions. The locking means, however, is arranged to release the two sets of rings so that they can be rotated in opposite directions to permit removal or insertion of sheets. While binders have been devised heretofore in which the sheets are held in position by partial rings mounted for rotation in opposite directions around a common axis to permit the removal or insertion of sheets, these prior constructions have been incapable of opening fiat, or have some other serious practical objection. The present invention overcomes these difficulties, while utilizing continuous rings to support the sheets, by so mounting the two sets of rings that they not onlyhave a rotative movement around their common axis but can also be rotated around a second axis or can be so moved relatively as to separate the free ends of the rings after their maximum rotative movement about their common axis has been completed. This permits the use of a continuous ring of large angular extent while preserving the advantage of easy removal or insertion of sheets.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and more especially to Fig. 4, afew of the partial rings of one set are shown at 2 and some of the opposite set at 3. Both sets are shown more completely in Figs. 7 and 8. Preferably the rings 3 are made integral with a bar or plate 4 provided with a narrow upturned edge 5 from which the rings extend. The other set is made in the same manner, the corresponding bar or plate being shown at 6 and the narrow upturned edge or margin at I. These units are identical in construction and may be made with the same dies. Usually it is preferable to make them in strips of any length suited to manufacturing conditions, and then to cut them into lengths of the sections required by the dimensions of the hook in which they are to be incorporated.

It should be observed that each ring is curved upwardly and over its respective bar or metal strip 4 or 6, and that the inner edges 8 and 9, respectively, of the two strips are located substantially at the centers of curvature of the rings. This relationship is best shown in Figs. 2 and .3. When the two sets of rings are assembled with the sheets or leaves of a book, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the two edges 8 and 9 abut one against the other, the free ends of the rings 2 lying just inside the upturned marginal strip of the opposite set, and the corresponding ends of the rings 3 are located similarly just inside the strip 1. In order to assist in holding them in the correct axial position, the edges of the two strips 4 and 6 preferably are provided with short ears a spaced by short notches b of the same length as the ears, so that the ears of one edge will fit into the notches of the opposite edge, as illustrated in Fig. 5. In this condition, therefore, the rings are all aligned on the abutting edges 8 and 9, the latter forming a common axis for the two sets of rings. Consequently, the perforated sheets H] can be guided on the rings as they are swung through an angle of 180 to open or close the book, as desired. In assembling the parts it is usually more convenient to thread approximately half of the sheets of which the book is to be composed on each set of rings, as shown in Fig. 4, and then to bring the two assemblies together with'the bars or strips 4 and 6 back to back, as also illustrated in said figure. In this position the free ends of the rings will be positioned over the open perforations in the opposite stacks of sheets. A slight pressure on the tops of the rings will cause them to rotate around the inner edges of the respective bars 4 and 6 as a common axis. This rotative movement should be continued until the free ends of the rings of each set are positioned just inside the flanges 5 and 1, respectively, of the opposite set. The slight lateral olfsetformed at the base or root of each ring, as shown at 0, Figs. 2, '7 and 8, facilitates the movement of the free ends of the rings into this relationship to the parts 5 and 1. When this rotative movement has been completed the bars will lie approximately in the relationship to each other shown in Fig. 3 and they are then looked in this position by means of clips- I2, Figs. 1, 2 and 6, which are slipped over the opposite ends of the bars and hold them in the desired relationship. Thereafter the leaves may be swung back and forth on the rings just as though the two sets were made an integral structure.

In order to remove a sheet, the book is opened 5 to the appropriate place, the clips l2 are removed, and the rings are swung in opposite directions about the axis extending through their centers until the bars 4 and 6 are again positioned back to back, asshown in Fig. 4. The two assemblies may then be moved apart sufliciently so that one set of rings does not overlap the leaves held by the other set, after which the desired sheet may be removed. In the same manner other sheets may be inserted at any desired point in the book. When such removal or insertion has been completed, the parts are returned to their former relationship in the manner above described in connection with the initial operation of assembling. In making some books stiff cover sheets, such as those shown at [3 and [4, Fig. 2, will be included in the assembly.

When desired for any reason, the two ring assemblies may be hinged together permanently by any suitable double-action type of hinge. A simple form of .this construction is illustrated in Fig. 5. Here strips of tape l5l5 are sewed, or otherwise secured, to the flange 5 of the bar 4, and they extend over the rearward surface of said bar, then across the inner edge of the bar 6, along the inside surface of said bar, and are secured to the inner surface of the flange 1. Other strips of tape I5l6 are secured in a similar manner to the outer surfaces of the flange I, extend across the back of the bar 6, over the inner edge of the bar 4, along its inner surface, and are secured to the inner faces of the flange 5. This makes a well known double-action hinge which permits the two sets of rings to have a limited rotative movement in the manner above described about the axis passing through the centers of all of the rings, the portions of the takes at the edges of the bars acting as pivots. In addition, it permits the rotation of the two sets in opposite directions about the lower edges of the rearward surfaces 4 and 6 after they have been swung into abutting relationship, as indicated in Fig. 4. This latter rotation about an axis spaced from the central axis of the ring assembly by a distance equal to the radius of the rings, results in swinging the edges 8 and 9 away from each other and thus separating the free ends of the two sets of rings, or moving them out of overlapping relationship, far enough to permit the removal of the sheets or leaves from them, or the threading of new sheets on them.

This action may be somewhat clearer from an inspection of Fig. 9 which shows the parts diagrammatically but arranged in the relationship common to two parts connected by a double action hinge, except that they are slightly separated from each other. Assuming the opposite edges of the parts 4 and 6 to be connected by either a metal or flexible strap I1 hinged to them respectively at the points a and f, and also connected by another strap I8 hinged to the parts 4 and 6 at e and b, it will be observed that when these parts are in the usual double hinge relationship, the pivots a and b will be aligned with each other on a single axis which may be designated as the axis a-b, while the pivots e and ,1 will be similarly aligned on a single axis ef. Thus if the part 6 is swung in a clockwise direction, while the part 4 remains stationary, such swinging movement will take place on the latter axis, while if the swinging motion is in a counterclockwise direction it will occur about the axis ab.

This double hinge construction is used in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, and the different relationships of the parts to each other is illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. and 16.

Referring to Figs. 12, 13 and 14, the sets of rings 2 and 3 are secured rigidly to bars and 2i, respectively. These bars are secured to plates 4 and 6 corresponding to those similarly designated above and the plates are connected together by hinge straps l1 and I8 corresponding to those shown in Fig. 9 and functioning in much the same manner. Here the rings have a combined rotative and sliding movement, during which they turn about the common axis a--b, Figs. 14 and 15, while at the same time they rotate about their respective p vots 22 and 23. Later they have a further relative rotative movement of separation about another axis ef, Fig. 16, parallel to the first axis. While the axesor pivots e-f are sliding toward each other until they substantially meet, the two sets of rings revolve around their respective axes. Simultaneously, the aXis ab rises. Of course in practice the axes e-f may not come exactly into the same line but they approximate this position suificiently for the purposes of this invention.

Rods 22 and 23 extend through the respective bars 23 and 2|, are rigidly secured to them, and are utilized both as pivots and also in slidably mounting the ring assemblies on the supporting and operating means for them shown in Fig. 11. This means comprises a backing structure including a supporting plate 24 turned up at its opposite ends, as indicated at 2525. The turned over portions embrace bars 26-26 which are slotted, as shown at 27, to receive the opposite ends of the pivot rods 22 and 23, as best shown in Fig. 13. Mounted on the back 24 is a slide 28, one end of which is reduced and extends through a slot 38, Fig. 11, in the part 25 and is then bent up at right angles to provide a finger piece 3| by means of which it may be operated. Four levers 32 are mounted on the back plate by means of pivot studs 33, and each lever is provided with an up-turned end notched, as shown at 34, to receive an end of one or the other ofthe rods 22 and 23. Each lever also has a stud 35 fixed therein and extending downwardly through a cam slot 36 formed in the slide 28. The latter is suitably slotted to avoid interference with the pivot studs 33 and it has a guide slot formed therein to receive the stud 31 projecting upwardly from the back late 24.

The ring assembly shown in Fig. 12 is inserted in the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 11 with the projecting ends of the rods 22 and 23 at opposite ends of the ring assembly positionedinthenotches 3 i-34 of the levers 32 at the opposite ends of what may be termed the back assembly. In so locating the parts it may be necessary to spring the end members 25-25 apart slightly so that the ends of the rods will project into the slots 21- 21 when the parts finally are in their properly assembled relationship.

Thereafter if the thumb piece 31, Fig. 11, of the slide 28 is moved inwardly, the walls of the cam slots 36 acting on the studs 35 will force the free ends of the levers 32 apart. This action, in turn, will move the rods 22 and 23 away from each other and into the relationship shown in Fig. 14. In this condition the binder is closed, the hinge assembly is in approximately the relationship shown in Fig. 15, and the free ends of the rings of each set lie just above, or in contact with, the members or 2! of the opposite set. Preferably the cam slots 36 terminate in short portions extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the slide 28, as shown in Fig. 13, so that when the studs are in these portions of the slots the rings will be locked in their closed positions and cannot be opened due to pressure exerted by the weight of the sheets on. the rings. The binder may be opened, however, by moving the slide 28 outwardly intothe position shown in Fig. 11, this movement forcing the bars 20 and 2i toward each other and resulting in rotating the rings about their common axis of alignment w-b. This movement continues until the hinge is closed and thereafter, as the bars 20 and 2| are moved further toward each other, the rings begin to rotate about the axis e-f, Fig. 16, and such movement continues until the free ends of the rings have been separated by a distance ample for the easy insertion or removal of sheets. This relationship of the parts is illustrated in Fig. 12. The binder may be closed by an inward movement of the slide. The covers for the book are partially shown at 33 and they may be secured to the base or back plate 24 in any convenient manner.

Another embodiment of the invention in which a ring assembly much like that shown in Fig. 12 is used, but is mounted in a somewhat different back structure or assembly, is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 1'7. The back plate 24 with turned up ends 25' are similar to the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 11. The ends 25'25', however, are provided with holes to receive the opposite ends of the rod 22 for rotation around a stationary axis only, and with slots lib-M3 in which the opposite ends of the rod 23 are mounted;

This arrangement diners chiefly from that shown in Figs. 11 to 14 in that the binder may be opened and closed by manually turning the rings 2 and 3. They may be locked in their closed position by a spring latch 45, Fig. 10, supported slidably on the plate 6, a spring 42 serving to hold it normally with its forward edge in the slot 40 immediately under the upper edge of said slot.

In unlocking the rings the book is first opened flat and the latch 4| then is released simply by pushing it back with the finger or thumb, then while holding the latch backwardly one or both sets of the rings 2 and 3 are lifted by hand, this operation sliding the rod 23 toward the right, Figs. 10 and 17, until the ends of the two sets of rings are moved out of overlapping relationship, as shown in the latter figure. At this time sheets can be removed or new sheets inserted. Subsequently the two sets of rings can be revolved toward each other into their closed relationship. However, the mere act of closing the book will perform this same function. In either event the latch 4| snaps into its locking position automatically as soon as the rings have completed their closing movement. If desired for any reason, the opening movement of the rings could also be produced by attaching a lever to the end of either rod 22 or 23 or by extending the ends of these rods through the end plates and operating them manually.

Fig. 18 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which the rings are substantially like those shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, and are made-integral with the bars 4 and 6, respectively. The back plate 44 is bent upwardly at opposite ends thereof, as shown at 45 and isprovided with cam slots 46 to receive the opposite ends of a pivot rod 41 which extends along the edge a-b of the plate 4. The end plates also have corresponding slots 48 to receive the opposite ends of another pivot rod 49 extending along the edge a--b of the supporting plate 6. Both these rods are rigidly secured to their respective plates or bars 4 and 6. Also, the edges which abut each other preferably have complemental notches b and ears or projections a formed in them to keep them aligned axially with each other, as in the arrangement shown in Figs. '7 and 8. Additional cam slots 50 and 5! are formed in the end plates 45 to. receive pivot rods 52 and. 53, which are respectively secured to the lower edges of the plates 4 and 6. Springs are provided at the opposite ends of the assembly, and just inside the end plates, where they act on the rods 41 and 49 to hold them yieldingly at the outer ends of their slots 48 and 48. One of these springs is shown in Fig. 18 at 54. Similarly springs 55 act on the rods 52 and 53 to hold them yieldingly at the outer ends of their cam slots 59 and 5!.

Fig. 18 shows the binder in its open position. By moving the rods 41 and 49 toward each other against the action of the springs 54 and then forcing them. down into the vertical portions of their cam slots, the binder is closed. This action serves both to rotate the rings in opposite directions into overlapping relationship to each other and also to move the rods 52 and 53 outwardly in their cam slots 50 and 5| where they are locked yieldingly by the springs 55.

The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 18 is well adapted to small binders, although its utility is not limited to them, whereas those constructions shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 17 are admirably adapted for large binders.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the invention provides a loose-leaf binder of sturdy and substantial construction, which can be manufactured economically, is convenient to operate, has a large capacity for given dimensions, and in which the rings afford a continuous support for the movement of the leaves through approximately a half circle without any break or interruption. This is very desirable in a ring binder because of the danger of catching and tearing the leaves at any break or interruption in the continuity of the rings themselves. Furthermore, this binder is not as limited in its dimensions as are ring binders of the prior art forms. Because the leaves are supported through. a circumferential extent of approximately 180, the book may be opened flat thus affording easy readability. At the same time the opening movement of the rings is made of such amplitude or extent that when the binder is fully open the free ends of the rings are not in circumferential overlapping relationship to each other but are separated by an ample distance to make the matter of inserting or removing sheets very easy.

While I have herein shown and described typical embodiments of my invention it will be understood that the particular type of construction employed necessarily will depend upon the nature of the use to which the binder is to be put and that where mechanical aids to turning the rings are used, the type of such aids, and the locking mechanism used with them, necessarily will depend upon the character of the book. It will also be evident that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

This application is a continuation, in part, of my copending application Ser. No. 202,873, filed April 19, 1938.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. A loose-leaf binder comprising two sets of aligned partial rings, supports holding the rings of the respective sets in aligned relationship, and means cooperating with said supports for holding the two sets of rings aligned on a common axis, said means including a plurality of pivots and serving to support said sets of rings for rotation around said axis and permitting them to be separated from such common axis after they have been so rotated and while maintining them in cooperative relationship to each other.

2. A loose-leaf binder comprising two sets of partial rings arranged in parallel spaced relationship but adapted to be aligned on a common axis passing substantially through the centers of the rings, supports for said respective sets of rings, and means connectin said supports and cooperating with them to support said sets of rings for limited rotative movement both around said axis and also for relative rotation around a second axis parallel to the first, said means including two pivots.

3. A loose-leaf binder comprising two sets of partial rings arranged in parallel spaced relationship but aligned on a common axis passing substantially through the centers of the rings, said rings being adapted to extend in opposite directions through perforations in the margins of an assembly of sheets, and means connecting said rings to hold them in said aligned relationship but operable to permit the two sets to rotate in opposite directions around said axis and also for relative rotation around a second axis parallel to the first to separate the axes of alignment of the two sets, said means including two pivots.

4.. A loose-leaf binder comprising two sets of partial rings arranged in parallel spaced relationship but aligned on a common axis passing substantially through the centers of the rings, and means connecting corresponding ends of the rings of the respective sets and supporting them for limited rotative movement around said axis and also for relative rotation around a second axis parallel to the first and spaced from it by a distance approximately equal to the radius of the rings, said means including two pivots.

5. A loose-leaf binder comprising two sets of partial rings, and means holding said sets of rings in cooperative relationship to each other but operable to permit the rings to have limited rotative movements in the arcs of the rings themselves and also in an additional arc of larger radius than that of the rings, said means including two pivots.

6. A loose-leaf binder comprising a double action hinge and two sets of partial rings secured to said hinge for rotative movement with the hinge members about the axes thereof, said rings being adapted to extend through the perforations in the margin of an assembly of sheets from opposite sides thereof.

7. A loose-leaf binder comprising two sets of partial rings arranged in parallel spaced relationship but aligned on a common axis passing substantially through the centers of the rings, and means connecting corresponding ends of the rings of the respective sets to support them for limited rotative movement both around said axis and also around a second axis parallel to the first and spaced from it by a substantial distance, said means including a double action hinge.

8. A loose-leaf binder for a stack of sheets of paper, said binder comprising two sets of partial rings each having a circumferential extent of at least approximately 180, two bars supporting the respective sets of rings, one end of each ring being secured to its respective bar and lying in a plane at right angles thereto and with the opposite end of each ring free, and means connecting said bars to hold all of said rings aligned on a common axis extending substantiallyv through the centers of the rings with adjacent rings spaced longitudinally of said axis, said means being releasable, and said means and. bars being so constructed and arranged as to support the rings, when released, for relative rotative movement sufficient to permit the free ends of the sets of rings to be moved out of circumferential overlapping relationship to each other to facilitate the introduction or removal of sheets from said stack.

9. A loose-leaf binder for a stack of sheets of paper, comprising a set of partial rings, each having a circumferential extent of at least approximately 180, a bar to which one end of each of said rings is secured with the rings located in planes transverse to the bar, a second set of partial rings like that above defined and a second bar supporting the lattter set in the same manner as the first set, the rings of the two sets being adapted to extend in opposite directions, respectively, through perforations in the margins of all of said sheets of paper, and means connecting the two bars to hold all of said rings aligned on a common axis so that each of said rings will form a continuous unbroken guide for said sheets to swing on, said means being releasable to permit said sets of rings to be relatively moved out of circumferentially overlapping relationship for the introduction or removal of sheets into or from said stack.

10. A loose-leaf binder for a stack of sheets of paper, said binder comprising two sets of partial rings each having a circumferential extent of at least approximately 180, two bars supporting the respective sets of rings, one end of each ring being secured to its respective bar and lying in a plane at right angles thereto with the opposite end of each ring free, means connecting said bars to hold all of said rings aligned on a common axis extending substantially through the centers of the rings, said means including a double action hinge supporting said rings for rotative movement about said axis and also about a second axis parallel to the first.

11. A loose-leaf binder for a stack of sheets of paper, comprising a set of partial rings, each having a circumferential extent of at least approximately 180, a bar to which one end of each of said rings is secured with the rings located in planes transverse to the bar, a second set of partial rings like that above defined and a second bar supporting the latter set in the same manner as the first set, the rings of the two sets being adapted to extend in opposite directions, respectively, through perforations in the margins of all of said sheets of paper, means connecting the two bars to hold all of said rings aligned on a common axis and axially spaced so that each of said rings will form a continuous unbroken guide for said sheets to swing on, and means supporting said bars for relative movement to swing said rings out of circumferential overlapping relationship to each other.

12. A loose-leaf binder for a stack of sheets of paper. comprising a set of partial rings, each having a circumferential extent of at least approximately 180, a bar to which one end of each of said rings is secured with the rings located planes transverse to the bar, a second set of partial rings like that above defined and a second bar supporting the latter set in the same manner as the first set, the rings of the two sets being adapted to extend in opposite directions, respectively, through perforations in the margins of all of said sheets of paper, means connecting the tWo bars to hold all of said rings aligned on a common axis and axially spaced so that each of said rings will form a continuous unbroken guide for said sheets to swing on, and means whereby said bars may be relatively moved to carry said rings out of circumferential overlapping relationship to each other.

13. A loose-leaf binder comprising two sets of partial rings arranged in parallel spaced relationship, supports for the respective sets of rings, said rings being adapted to extend through perforations in the margins of an assembly of sheets, and means cooperating with said supports to hold the two sets aligned on a common axis passing approximately through the centers of the rings and supporting said rings for rotation around said axis and for relative separation laterally from such common axis after they have been rotated through a limited angle and While holding said sets of rings in cooperative relationship to each other, said means including a plurality of pivots.

14. A loose-leaf binder comprising two sets of partial rings arranged in parallel spaced relationship, supports for the respective sets of rings, said rings being adapted to extend through perforations in the margins of an assembly of sheets and being of such angular extent as to support said assembly for opening to a substantially flat condition, means connecting said supports and cooperating with them to support said sets of rings for limited. rotative movement in opposite directions around a common axis but to a degree insufficient to circumferentially separate the free ends of the rings of said sets, said supports and said means including parts operable after such rotation to effect a relative lateral separation of said sets of rings from such common axis sufficient to circumferentially separate said free ends of the rings for the introduction or removal of sheets.

15. A loose-leaf binder according to preceding claim 13, including means for releasably locking said sets of rings in their closed relationship in which they support said assembly for normal use.

16. A loose-leaf binder according to preceding claim 13 including cam means for moving said sets of rings into open and closed relationship.

17. A loose-leaf binder according to preceding claim 8, including means for automatically locking said rings in their closed positions, said means being releasable to unlock the rings for said relative movement of them out of circumferential overlapping relationship into their open positions.

18. A loose-leaf binder for a stack of sheets of paper comprising two sets of partial rings adapted to extend in opposite directions, respectively, through perforations in the margins of all of said sheets of paper, two bars supporting the respective sets of rings, one end of each ring being secured to the bar for its respective set, means connecting said bars to hold all of said rings in parallel axially spaced relationship to each other and aligned on a common axis extending substantially through the centers of the rings and supporting them for relative rotation about said axis and also about a second axis parallel thereto from a closed position toward an open position, said means including two pivots supported for relative sliding movement toward each other to complete the opening movement of the rings.

19. A loose-leaf binder according to preceding claim 13, including two pivots supporting said rings for swinging movement thereon, and means supporting said pivots for relative sliding movement toward and from each other.

20. A loose-leaf binder for a stack of sheets of paper comprising two sets of partial rings adapted'to extend in opposite directions, respectively, through perforations in the margins of said sheets of paper, two supports to which said sets of rings are respectively secured with the rings of each set aligned on its own axis, means cooperating with said supports for holding both sets-normally with their axes in substantially the same line and for relative rotation in opposite directions around said line to withdraw the rings from the sheets while still holding the rings in said aligned relationship, said means also supporting said rings axially spaced and for additional relative movement to separate said axes and thereby to move the rings of the two sets into open relation for the introduction of sheets to said stack or the removal of sheets therefrom.

21. A loose-leaf bind er for a stack of sheets of paper comprising two sets of partial rings adapted to extend in opposite directions, respectively, through perforations in the margins of said sheets of paper, two bars supporting the respective sets of rings, one end of each ring being secured to the bar for its respective set, means connecting said bars and supporting them spaced axially with the two sets of rings aligned on a common axis for relative rotation in opposite directions around two independent axes and also about said common axis to a degree sufiicient to withdraw the rings from said stack but not sufficient to move the rings out of circumferential overlapping relationship to each other, said means including a back structure with which said bars have independent connections supporting the bars for additional relative movement of said sets of rings away from such common axis of alignment and out of said overlapping relationship to each other.

ROBERT C. MCKAY. 

